February 17, 2012: Technology is the word this week, from the sublime to the scary fast. First up is a new touchpad technology from TRW Automotive. It uses an affordable multi-graphic rear projection display that shows you more than the numbers that will unlock your car’s doors. Next are affordable Metal Matrix Composite brake rotors. NYU-Poly and REL, Inc. are working on this technology, and suggest it can remove 30 lb. of unsprung weight from the typical mid-size sedan, last the life of the car, and perform better than the cast iron rotors in production today. At TVD, we call that a bargain. Our last technology is a Lola LMP1 prototype outfitted with an electric drivetrain. If that isn’t enough, some of the electrical systems on the vehicle are powered by structural batteries; cells whose chemistry has been integrated into the composites making up the structure of the vehicle. It’s pretty trick stuff. Just don’t expect to see it running at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Back in the real world, Chris Sawyer takes the Mazda2 Touring out to see what it’s made of. Is it a sporting economy car or a fraternal twin to the Ford Fiesta that uses the same underpinnings? Finally, Al responds to a reader e-mail, and gives both barrels to drivers who slow down to a crawl before turning. Even more frightening is that Al’s satirical take on what should be done to these miscreants — disemboweling comes to mind — is one of his milder suggestion.

February 3, 2012: Back from his bout with kidney stone removal Chris Sawyer takes us inside the world of VW’s new modular transverse technology. More than just a standardized structural base or set of powertrains, the MQB, as it is called, is a declaration of war by Volkswagen on the competition. It has the potential to slash per unit costs, increase the level of in-vehicle technology affordably, add immense flexibility to the VW Group’s production facilities, and allow it to build more vehicle variations based on a set of common components at a higher profit margin. It’s pretty amazing. While he was convalescing, Sawyer also finished a book on Edsel Ford, the only child of Ford Motor Company’s founder. The 1934 Model 40 Special Roadster Edsel created alongside Ford design chief Bob Gregorie (right) shows the depths of this man’s talents. Little is really known about Edsel, though author Henry Dominguez has done a wonderful job putting together a sympathetic portrait of this forgotten and misunderstood giant. Read the review to find out what a twisted and tragic existence he was forced to lead. Finally, Al gets out on the road to play space invaders, that game where the nicer the car you drive, the more likely it is that people will harm it. He has some sage advice for those who don’t want to play that game.